Thursday, June 29, 2006

Latest is Pisani apparently will be signed before Saturday. This according to his agent.

Same guy who represents Roloson.

As the playoffs wore on I thought it was pretty important that the Oilers sign Roloson to ensure that they don't start next year like they did this year. I think that even with the Pronger situation Lowe has the Cap space and the chips to acquire the players to put a pretty good team out there next season. With the exception of Pisani, imo, the players who are unrestricted are all pretty replaceable - Spacek, Tarnstrom and Samsonov were all picked up during the season. LeGG and Murray are fourth liners. Peca had a great playoff but his regular season was crap. Some would argue Dvorak but the truth is he can be replaced pretty easily I think. Hell, anybody can be, to be honest.

But the Oilers need a goaltender in order to avoid what happened this year - barely squeaking into the playoffs. With a good goaltender for a full season they can shoot for that higher seed.

And I am not ignoring the fact that Lowe has work to do beyond goaltending. That's obvious.

But it starts in net. And with the movement this past week or so as well as developments in the playoffs it is suddenly becoming a buyer's market.

In my opinion here are teams who need goaltending and those goalies who are available. I haven't included Belfour or Hasek because I think any legitimate contender would be nuts to go with one of those guys.

Teams needing goaltending - Edmonton, Tampa, Detroit, LA

Teams that may need goaltending - Ottawa, Florida, St. Louis

The performances of Cam Ward, Bryzgalov and Toskela have given their respective teams two legitimate keepers and, in Carolina's case, no reason to keep Gerber. Toronto picked up Raycroft and Montreal resigned Huet. Phoenix resigned Joseph. And of course Vancouver picked up Luongo.

So even if all of the teams on the "may need" list do go after goaltending my math tells me there are more goalies then teams. Now some of these guys are under contract but they are still available.

Advantage Mr. Lowe. Does he resign Roloson? I like Roloson a lot. I really do. But an older goalie coming off an injury makes me nervous. At worst I think that the sudden glut of goalies gives Lowe options and means that he won't have to overpay in cash or term.

He didn't outplay Roloson, Kiprusoff, and Giguere in the playoffs past.

I'm just seeing something in his stats that are undeniable. Of course Pete Peeters probably isn't enough of a pyschotherapist to get him back on his game. It would be just so unexpected and economical.